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Bad Breath Home Remedies
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Let’s face it, bad breath is embarrassing. The good news is that for the most part—with proper dental care—bad breath, also called halitosis, can be avoided. Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath, as bacteria that builds up on the back of your tongue or in between your teeth is the main culprit. Bad breath can be caused by foods, smoking, dry mouth, medical conditions, gum disease, and sinus conditions. No wonder dental hygiene is such big business.
When to call a doctor
If your halitosis hangs on for more than 24 hours without an obvious cause, call your dentist or doctor, says Roger P. Levin, D.D.S. It can be a sign of gum disease, gastrointestinal problems, sinus infection, bronchitis, or even more serious diseases, such as diabetes, liver or kidney failure, and cancer. Bad breath can also be a sign of dehydration or zinc deficiency,.
Panel of Advisors
Roger P. Levin, D.D.S., is the chief executive officer of the Levin Group, a dental practice in Baltimore, Maryland and Phoenix, Arizona.
Eric Shapira, D.D.S., M.A., M.H.A., is a dental consultant, clinical gerontologist, and educator based in Montara, California. He is the founder of Aging Mentor Services, which provides counseling and care management to older adults and family in transition.
Jerry F. Taintor, D.D.S., M.S., is an endodontist in private practice in Memphis, Tennessee. He is the author of The Complete Guide to Better Dental Care.
Remedies
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Spice things up
Other herbs and spices in your kitchen are natural breath enhancers. Carry a tiny plastic bag of cloves, fennel, or anise seeds to chew after odorous meals.
Create your own gargle
Mix extracts of sage, calendula, and myrrh gum (all available at health food stores) in equal proportions and gargle with the mixture four times a day.
Peppermint candy
Try sucking on peppermint candies. They help with bad breath and your digestive system.
Brush your tongue
"Most people overlook their tongues," says Dr. Shapira. "Your tongue is covered with little hairlike projections, which under a microscope look like a forest of mushrooms.
Eat your parsley
Parsley adds more than green to your lunch plate; it's also a breath-saver, because it contains chlorophyll, a known breath deodorizer.
Chew a mint or some gum
Like mouthwash, a breath mint or minty gum is just a cover-up, good for a short interview, a short ride in a compact car, or a very short date.
Watch your intake of odorous eats
Highly spiced foods like to linger long after the party's over. Certain tastes and smells recirculate through the essential oils that they leave in your mouth.
Forgo stinky fish
Some fish, like the anchovies on your pizza or even the tuna you tuck into your brown-bag lunch, can leave a lasting impression.
Peppermint candy
Try sucking on peppermint candies. They help with bad breath and your digestive system.
Dine on less deli meat
Spicy deli meats such as pastrami, salami, and pepperoni also leave oils behind long after you have swallowed them. You breathe. They breathe.
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Peppermint candy
Eat your parsley
Forgo stinky fish